Seal



E. DIETZE June 25, 1935.

SEAL

Filed Oct. 19, 1934 V 0 ill... .2 r ll-=5:

Y E N R O T T A Patented June 25, 1935 UNITED, STATES 7 SEAL Emil Dietze, Richmond mu, N. Y., assignor to American Casting &

Manufacturing Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 19,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in seals of the kind provided with an attachable shackle whichyupon insertion into the body of the seal,

is'interlocked to such body against detachment and reunited without detection. 15'

. A further object of this invention is to provide in a seal device of the character above mentioned various novel safeguarding features calculated to render the locked seal tamper-proof, whereby, in the eventof attempts to violate the destroyed or so mutilated as 'toat once render obvious and visible the effects of thetampering act.

Other and more specific objects of this invention, not at this time moreparticularly enumerated, will be understood fromthe following detailed description 'of the same.

Illustrative embodiments of thisinvention are shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

in the above-described Fig. 1 is a frontface view of a seal according to this invention, with the attachable shackle part connected to the body thereof in operative interlocked relation thereto; Fig. 2 is a side edge view of the same; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view showing internal construction of the seal body; Fig.4 is a horizontal cross section, taken on line 44 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross section, takenon line5-5in Fig. 1; and I Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross section, taken on line 66inFig.3.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section similar to that of Fig. 3, but showing the effects of an attempt to enter a shackle in the body in connection with which a lead or soft metal identifying button has been applied and previouslyiinpressed; and Fig. 8 is a similar view, but showing an alternative arrangement and location of the lead or soft metal identifying button.

. 1 Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but showing a somewhat modified form of seal body; and Fig. 10 is a horizontal crosss'ection, taken on line IIJ'I0 in Fig. 9. v

Similar characters of reference are employed views, to indicate corresponding parts. 7

seal, either the body or shackle or both are either 1934, Serial No. 749,010

Referring to the drawing, the seal body is preferably made integrally of single sheet metal blank formed to provide a back plate II and a front plate I2, each having integral with their upper ends the respective neck portions l3 and H. The upper extremities of said neck portions are mutually and integrally connected by a transverse top fold l5, which is formed when the front plate l2 and its neck portion 14 is folded over and superimposed upon the back plate I l and its neck portion [3.

The front and back plates are respectively peripherally shaped at their lower ends to a substantially semi-circular form, and at their upper side portions are provided with oppositely and outwardly laterally projecting curvilinear ears I6 joined at their lower sides by reversely curved peripheries I! to the peripheries of said front and back plates. The front and back plates thus formed are so relatively dimensioned that the back plate is somewhat larger than the front plate, thereby providing the former with a marginal portion which, when the frontplate is superimposed upon the back plate, is turned inwardly over the margin of said front plate to form aperipheral lapping bead l8 which functions to secure the plates in assembled seal body forming relation. This bead l8 extends around the lateral curvilinear ears l6, terminating at the tops of the latter at points adjacent to the junctures of the neck portions l3 and M with the respective back and front plates II and I2.

Struck outwardly from the body of the front plate l2, so as to extend vertically in laterally spaced apart relation parallel to the longitudinal vertical axis of the seal body, are'shackle leg receiving chambers l9 defined by outer face walls 20, inner sidewalls 2| and outer side walls 22. The chambers l9 are of enlarged width at their lower portions thus forming off-set stop-shoub ders 23 at their outer sides and intermediate their lower and upper, ends. The neck portion ll of front plate I2 is disposed to extend in the plane of the face walls 20 of said chambers l9, thus beingspaced apart from the neck portion l3 of back plate ll so as to form a shackle leg passage 24 with which the upper open ends 25 of the respective chambers I9 communicate. Provided in the top fold 15, which joins the upper ends of said neck portions l3 and M, are shackleleg entrance ways or openings 26 which communicate with said passage 24 and which are respectively aligned with, i. e. opposed to, the respective upper open ends 25 of said chambers IS. The sides of the neck portions l3 and l4 are formed to provide inwardly indented portions 21, through which are exposed parts of the shackle legs when the shackle is inserted in and locked to the seal body.

In one arrangement of seal, the neck portions l3 and M are provided with aligned or matched centrally disposed openings 28 for the reception of an identification button 29 ofimpressionable material, such e. g. as lead or other comparatively soft metal. The functions of this button, and especially the novel arrangement thereof in the seal according to this invention whereby the same serves as an additional safeguard against misuse of the seal will be subsequently explained.

The attachable shackle for use with the described seal body is preferably formed of spring wire, although it might also be formed of flat sheet metal if desired. In preferred form, the shackle comprises a suitable length of wire doubled upon itself to form the upper loop end 30 from which depend the laterally spaced leg members 3|, the latter being connected to the looped end by offsetting shoulders 3|. At their lower end portions, said leg members are provided with inwardly offset spur carrying extensions 32 joined thereby by the laterally extending oifsetting connections 33; the extent of off-set approximating the width of the upper portions of the shackle leg receiving chambers IQ of the seal body, so that when the shackle legs are inserted in said chambers I9 the main portions of the leg members 3| will lie contiguous to and abut the outer side walls 22 of said chambers is, while the oilset extensions 32 will lie contiguous to and abut the inner side walls 2! of said chambers l9. Doubled back and outwardly from the free ends of said extensions 32 are angularly and upwardly extending lock spur members 34. Provided in the interior angleof the juncture of said offsetting connections 33 with the leg members 3! is a notch or nick 35, the purpose of which will subsequently appear. Provided in the face Walls 20 of the shackle leg receiving chambers IQ of the seal body are sight openings 35, through which the nicked junctures of the leg members 3| and offsetting connections 33 are visible, when the shackle is inserted and locked into the seal body. r

In applying the seal to the device to be protectedthereby, the shackle is suitably engaged with the device and thereupon the leg members 3| thereof are inserted through the entrance Ways or openings 25 to pass downwardly through the passage 2Q between the neck portions 53 and I4 so that the spur carrying extensions 32 may enter and be pushed downwardly within the shackle receiving chambers l9. 1 In thus moving the shackle legs into the seal-body, the lock spur members 34 will yield inwardly when passing through the narrow upper portions of the chambers l9. As the shackle legs reach the limit of their movement into the chambers i9 ofthe seal body, the free ends of the lock spur members 34 will pass downwardly beyond the stop shoulders 23, thereupon being released from their contracted condition so as to snap or swing beneath said stop shoulders, thus securely locking the shackle against withdrawal from the seal body and thereby completing the desired sealing effect. After the shackle and seal body are thus interengaged and locked together, the lead or soft metal identification button 29, which is engaged through the openings 23 of the neck portions I3 and 14, may then,,by means of a suitable press, have the desired identification marks impressed thereupon.

The novel seal according to this invention, when applied in use as above explained, is tamper-proof, to an exceedingly efficient degree, and is consequently safeguarded against surreptitious violation. The novel feaures of construction which provide the safeguarding characteristics comprise the following:-

Any attempt to violate the seal by prying open the bead [8, to thus permit separation of the back and front plates and release of the shackle, is strongly resisted owing to the irregular peripheral shape of the plates and the bead consequent upon the provision of the curvilinear ears 16; any such attempt will result in such mutilation of the bead l8 that the same could not be returned to normal binding and interlocking relation to the plates, and the mutilated condition thereof would immediately disclose, by mere visual inspection of the seal, that the same had been tampered with.

It will be observed that when the shackle is disposed in normal inserted and interlocked relation to the seal body, that the offsetting connections 33 where joined to the leg members 3| will be observable through the sight openings 36. If an attempt is made to violate the seal by forcibly withdrawing the shackle therefrom, with the hope of curing any consequent distortion thereof after such removal, and then reengaging the same with the seal body, such attempt would be frustrated and detection thereof assured for the reason that the offsetting connections would be bent upwardly and out of the range of the sight openings 36, and, furthermore, owing to the weakening of the joints by the notches or nicks 35, one or both of the shackle legs would break at such points, which break or breaks would be visible through the sight openings if any attempt to reassemble the shackle with the seal body were made, and would thus provide visible evidence of such tampering.

The provision of the upwardly extended neck portions 13-44 provided with the free end fold i5 having the entrance ways or openings 26, serves to form a stop against which the offsetting shoulders 3i, which join the leg members 34 to the loop 30, may abut when the shackle is locked home in the seal body. As a consequence of this, any attempt to distort the shackle portions by forcible inward or downward thrusting of the same, with a view to working loose and releasing the lock spurs 34, is assured of frustration. Furthermore, any attempt to deform and loosen or release the lock spurs 34 by bending manipulations of the shackle legs is frustrated because of the offset connected relations of the leg members i with the spur carrying extensions 33, where by the former are securely held abutted agaim': the outer side walls 22 of the chambers l9 and the latter similarly held abutted against the inner side walls 2| thereof, thus firmly resisting any transmission from the one to the other of bending or like deforming stresses.

Owing to the provision of the indented sides in connection with the neck portions l3 and M, the leg members 3| of the inserted shackle are exposed so that any bending or other distortion, cutting or breaking thereof is at once rendered visible, and should the legs be severed it would be impossible to readjust the shackle in apparent normal relation to the seal body by concealment of any severed ends thereof.

The operator must apply and lock up the seal to the device to be protected'thereby before impressing and crushing down the identification button 29 in connection therewith, for if the latter is crushed down before inserting and looking the shackle into the seal body, the former cannot be operatively engaged with the latter. Owing to this it would be impossible to surreptitiously obtain so identified seal bodies and then utilize the same by application of a shackle thereto. The reason for such impossibility is that in crushing down the identification button 29 in connection with the seal body, the shank thereof will be expanded laterally, as indicated by the reference character 31, with accompanying tendency to inwardly deform the neck portion walls. Due to these effects, if it is attempted to insert a shackle into the seal body thereafter, the passage 24 between the neck portions will be obstructed to such an extent that the proper inward movement of the shackle leg portions therethrough will be impeded, and the spur carrying extensions 32 will be laterally deflected outwardly so that the spur carrying ends thereof are moved out of line relative to the receiving chambers I9, and are thus prevented from entering the latter. This is shown more particularly in Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawing. i I

An alternative arrangement and location of identification button 29, which will likewise prevent proper application of the shackle to the seal body, if said identification button is crushed down before inserting the shackle, is shown in Fig. 8. In this alternative or modified arrangement, the identification button 29 is disposed through the lower portions of the back and front plates H and I2 intermediate the shackle receiving chamber l9. As so located, if said identification button is'impressed and crushed down in connection with the seal body before insertion of the shackle therein, such crushing down of the button will expand the same and will laterally deform the inner side walls 2| of said chamber l9, as shown at 38 in Fig. 8, thereby obstructingfull insertion of the shackle leg portions so that the lock spurs 34 are prevented from passing downwardly beyond and so as to snap under the stop shoulders 23, all as shown in Fig. 8.

It will be understood that for some uses of the seal identification buttons 29 are not desired, and consequently the application thereof may be omitted from the seal body.

If desired, the back and front plates H and I2 may be provided with additional means, for securing the same in operative seal body forming relation, in the form of a tubular rivet formation 39 struck out from one plate, as e. g. the back plate ll, so as to extend through an alignable opening in the other plate, as e. g. front plate I2, and thereupon having its free end riveted or crushed over the latter plate to form a holding head or lip 40, all as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawing.

It will be obvious. that many changes could be made and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be produced without departing from the scope thereof as de-,

tically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends and each having laterally oifset internal stop shoulders, said plates having upwardly extended neck-portions providing an intermediate passage leading to the open ends of said chambers, means joining the upper ends of said neck-portions, said latter means having spaced entrance openings communicating with said passage and aligned with the open ends of said chambers, and a shackle loop having leg members provided at their free ends with lock spurs to snap under said stop shoulders when said leg members are passed through said entrance openings, passage and into said chambers.

2. In a seal, a body comprising superimposed plates, means for securing said plates in assembled relation, one of said plates having means integraltherewithadapted toformlaterally spaced vertically extendingishackleleg receiving chambers open at their upper ends and each having laterally offset internal stop shoulders, and a shackle loop having leg members, said leg members having extensions, laterally extending connections of a length approximating the normal width of said chambers offsetting said extensions relative to said leg members, upturned resilient lock spurs at the free ends of said extensions, all whereby, when said shackle leg members are entered in said chambers, portions thereof will abut one of the side walls of said chambers with the offset extensions abutting the other side walls thereof and the lock spurs will snap beneath the stop shoulders of said chambers, thus holding the entered leg members against manipulated lateral movement and the shackle locked to said se body.

3. In a seal, a body comprising superimposed plates, means for securing said plates in assembled relation, one of said plates having means integral therewith adapted to form laterally spaced verticaly extending shackle leg receiving chambers openat their upper ends and each having laterally offset internal stop shoulders, and a shackle loop having leg members. said leg members having extensions, laterally extending connections of a length approximating the normal width of said chambers oifseting said extensions relative to said leg members, upturned resilient lock spurs at the free ends of said extensions, all whereby, when said shackle leg membersare entered in said chambers, portions thereof will abut one of the side walls of said chambers with the offset extensions abutting the other side walls thereof and the lock spurs will snap beneath the stop shoulders of said chambers, thus holding the entered leg members against manipulated lateral movement and the shackle locked to said seal body, the walls of said chambers having sight openings to expose for inspection the junctures of said leg members with said extension offsetting connections when said shackle leg members are normally locked to said seal body.

4. In a seal, a body comprising superimposed plates, means for securing said plates in assembled relation, one of said plates having means integral therewith adapted to form laterally spaced vertically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends and each having laterally offset internal stop shoulders, and a shackle loop having leg members, said leg members having extensions, laterally extending connections of a length approximating the normal width of said chambers offsetting said extensions relatlve to said leg members, upturned resilient lock spurs at the free ends of said extensions, all whereby, when said shackle leg members are entered in said chambers, portions thereof. will abut one of the side Walls of said chambers with the offset extensions abutting the other side walls thereof and the lock spurs will snap beneath the stop shoulders of said chambers, thus holding the entered leg members against manipulated lateral movement and the shackle locked to said seal body, the walls of said chambers having sight openings to expose for inspection the junctures of said leg members with said extension offsetting connections when said shackle leg members are normally locked to said seal body, and. said junctures of said leg members with said extension offsetting connections having weakening nicks formed therein.

5. In a seal, abody comprising superimposed plates, means for securing said plates in assembled relation, one of said plates having means integral therewith adapted to form laterally spaced vertically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends andeach having laterally offset internal stop shoulders, said plates having upwardly extended neck-portions providing an intermediate passage leading to the open ends of said chambers, means joiningthe upper ends of said neck portions, said latter means having spaced entrance openings communicating with said passage and aligned with the open ends of said chambers, and a shackle comprising aloop portion, leg members, offset shoulders connecting said leg members to said loop portion, said leg members having extensions laterally extending connections of a length approximating the normal width of said chambers oiisetting said extensions relative to said leg members, and upturned resilient lock spurs at the free ends of said extensions, all. whereby, when said shackle leg ,members are entered in said chambers, portions thereof will abut one of the, side wallsoi said chambers with the offset extensions abutting the other side walls thereof and the lock spurs will snap beneath the stop shoulders of said chambers with the offset shoulders between the loop portion and said leg members stopped againstthe joined ends of said neck portions. i 1

6. In a seal, a body comprising superimposed plates, means ;for securing said plates in assembled relation, oneof said plates having means integral therewith adapted to form laterally spaced vertically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends and each having laterallyofiset internal'stop shoulders, said plates having upwardly extending neck-portions providing an intermediate passage leading to the open ends of said chambers, means joining the upper ends of said neck-portions, said latter means'having spaced entrance openings communicating wti said passage and aligned with the open ends of said chambers, and a shackle comprising a loop portion, leg members, offset shoulders connecting said leg members to said loop portion, said leg members having extensions, laterally. extending connections of a length approximatingthe normal width of said chambers offsetting said extensions relative to said leg members, and upturned resilient lock spurs at the free ends of said extensions, all wh reby, when said shackle leg members are entered in said chambers, portions thereof will abut one of the side walls of said chambers with the oilset extensions abutting the other side walls thereof and thellock spurs will snap'beneath the stop shoulders of said chambers with the offset shoulders between the loop portion and said leg members stopped against the joined ends of said neck portions, the walls of said chambers having sight openings to expose for inspection thejunc- J tures of said leg members with said extension offsetting connections when said shackle leg members are normally locked to said seal body.

,7. In a seal, a body comprising superimposed plates, means for securing said plates in assembled relation, one of said plates having means integral therewith adapted to form laterally spaced vertically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends and each having laterally offset internal stop shoulders, said plates having upwardly extending neck-portions providing an intermediate passage leading to the open ends of said chambers, means joining the upper ends of said neck-portions, said latter means having spaced entrance openings communicating with said passage and aligned with the-open ends of said chambers, and a shackle comprising a loop portion, leg members, offset shoulders connecting said leg members to said loop portion, said leg members having extensions, laterally extending connections of a length approximating the normal width of said chambers offsetting said extensions relative to said leg members, and upturned resilient lock spurs at the free ends of said extensions, all whereby, when said shackled leg members are entered in said chambers, portions thereof will abut one of the side walls of said chambers with the oliset extensions abutting the other side walls thereof and the lock spurs will snap beneath the stop shoulders of said chambers with the offset shoulders between the loop portion and said leg members stopped against the joined ends of said neck-portions, the walls of said chambers having sight openings to expose for inspection the junctures of said leg members with said extensicn offsetting connections when said shackle leg members are normally locked to said seal body, and said junctures of said leg members with said extension ofifsetting connections having weakening nicks formed therein.

1 8. A seal, comprising superimposed plates, means for securing said plates in assembled relation, one of said plat-es having means integral therewith adapted to form laterally spaced ver tically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends and each having laterally offset internal stop shoulders, said plates havin upwardly extended neck portions providing an intermediate passage leading to the open ends of said chambers, means joining the upper ends of said neck portions having spaced entrance openings communicating with said passage and aligned with the open ends of said chambers, said passage being open at its sides, said neck portions having indented side margins to expose to view shackle leg members, and a shackle loop having leg members provided at their free ends with lock spurs to snap under said stop shoulders when said leg members are passed through said ontrance openings, passage and into said chambers.

9. A seal, comprising a body having laterally spaced vertically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open'at their upper ends and each having laterally offset internal stop's houlders, a shackle loop having leg portions provided with lock spurs insertable in said chambers whereby said lock spurs snap beneath the stop shoulders thereof, and a button of compressible material engaged through said body and adapted to be deformed by compression, whereby, if compressed prior to insertion of the shackle, its shank will be expanded so as to prevent insertion of said shackle and movement thereof into normal locked engagement with said body. 10. In a seal of the kind described, a body having laterally spaced vertically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends and each having laterally offset stop shoulders, a neck portion extending from said body beyond the open ends of said chambers and adapted to provide a passage leading to the latter, said neck portion having a closed free end having entrance openings communicating with said passage and aligned with the open ends of said chambers, and

an attachable shackle having leg portions insertable through said entrance openings to pass through said passage and into said chambers, said leg portions having lock spurs to snap beneath the stop shoulders of said chambers.

11. In a seal of the kind described, a body having laterally spaced vertically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends through said entrance openings to pass through said passage and into said chambers, said leg portions having lockspurs to snap beneath the stop shoulders of said chambers, said indented open sides of said neck'portion disclosing for inspection portions of said shackle leg members.

12. In a seal of the kind described, a body havign laterally spaced vertically extending shackle leg receiving chambers open at their upper ends and each having laterally offset stop shoulders, a neck portion extending from said body beyond the open ends of said chambers and adapted to provide a passage leading to the latter, said neck portion having a closed free end having entrance openings communicating with said passage and aligned with the open ends of said chambers, said neck portion having indented open sides, an attachable shackle having leg portions insertable through said entrance openings to pass through said passage and intosaid chambers, said leg portions having lock spurs to snap beneath the stop shouldersof said chambers, said indented open sides of. said neck portion disclosing for inspection portions of said shackle leg members, and a button of compressible material engaged through said neck'portion and the passage thereof and adapted to be deformed by compression,

whereby, if compressed prior to insertion of the shackle, its shank will be expanded so as to deflect said shackleleg portions against entrance into said chambers.

EMIL DIETZE. 

